DARK SKY SAFARI
Namibia

Namibia Landscapes are out of this world. Swirling desert sands, pink granite mountains and famous desert dunes - the first African country to incorporate environmental protection and a Dark Sky Reserve.

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DATES:          11 - 22 September 2023

START:           Windhoek, Namibia

FINISH:         Windhoek, Namibia

STYLE:           Soft adventure

ACTIVITY:      Safari

GROUP:       Min 8 / Max 14 people

 

HOST:

Archeo-Astronomer Brenan Dew joins this journey through Namibia exposing the dark secrets of the heavens above Namibia.

 

Day 1 - Windhoek

Arriving into Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport we are met and transferred to our accommodation for the night - GocheGanas Nature Reserve. After a long flight, we'll let you settle in and find dinner on your own in the hotel tonight. (D)

 

Day 2 - Mariental

After breakfast, we check-out of our hotel and depart three hours north to Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch. Located on the edge of the southern Kalahari in the mixed tree and shrub savannah, the lodge is crisscrossed by huge red sand dunes. We attach great importance to the
preservation of nature and its living beings, so you can experience numerous species of animals and plants up close with us. Watch antelopes, springboks, zebras, ostriches, meerkats or cheetahs up close. Or let the authentic Bushmen introduce you to their ancient traditions.. (B,L,D)  

 

Day 3 & 4 - Sossusvlei

We change our view to take in the mesmerising landscape of the Namib Desert, but on the way we'll stop at H.E.S.S. -
a Gamma Ray telescope studying very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray astrophysics. The red scope, pointing to the sky is a similar model
to the Very Large Telescopes being built in Chile.  and visit Duwisseb Castle.  Built in 1909, by Baron Captain Heinrich Von Wolf. After the German-Nama war, the 'Baron' and his wife commissioned an architect to build a castle that would 'reflect Von Wolf's commitment to the German Military cause.' From unique wooden stilt chalets on top of the dune belt you'll be treated with an unsurpassed view of the colours of the Kalahari.

 

The Namib is a coastal desert with the Namib name of Khoekhoegowab meaning "vast place."  Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest private nature reserves, and proudly preserves the star-filled nighttime skies that shine above its dunes and mountains designated an Internationa Dark Sky Reserve. Here we will treat ourselves to desert elegance and an extra touch of delight with two nights at &Beyond Deset Lodge and spend the evenings stargazing on site.  (B,L,D)

 

Day 5 & 6 – Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay (meaning Bay of Whales in Afrikaans) is the third-largest town in Namibia and its only deep-sea harbour. We check-in to our accommodation at Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel situated on the coast. En route to this remote space, we'll stop in town for lunch and
time to see the local town. On arrival, the afternoon is at your leisure to walk along the beach and take in the salt air.  Wake up to the sound of
the ocean and spot the seals playing in the waves while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee – a great way to start the day. Making the most of the untouched beaches of the Atlantic Ocean we head out for a Catamaran Dolphin and Seal cruise for a full day cruise with lunch of oysters and wine. Later, we climb to the top of the coastal dunes, on a sunset 4WD tour.  (B,L)

 

Day 7 & 8 - Damaraland

Moving on to Damaraland, we first visit the cape Cross Seal Reserve - best-known for its breeding colony
of Cape fur seals along the Namib coast. The population has grown large and fat by taking advantage of the rich concentrations of fish in
the cold Benguela Current.  We spend the next two nights in Damaraland Camp a unique Wildeness Safaris property. We journey to the nearby Twyfelfontein to view San engravings and paintings, then contrast this by searching for the elusive desert-adapted elephants. The Twyfelfonteinconservancy has been protecting the southern most roaming ground of the black rhino and elusive desert elephant. Sustainable eco-tourism and community enrichment is of the utmost importance at Mowani. During the day our guides will track mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, klipspringer and if you are fortunate enough... the leopard! (B,L,D)

 

Day 9 & 10 - Africat

Okonjima Nature Reserve is equally famed for frequent cheetah and leopard sightings on its safaris. We'll start our day early with a visit to The AfriCat Foundation on its grounds. Since being founded in 1991, AfriCat’s mission has been to make significant contributions to conservation.
It undertakes research, community support and environmental education projects, as well as conservation work to rehabilitate carnivores such as cheetah and hyaena. (B,L,D)

 

Day  11 - Windhoek

Arriving back in Windhoek we'll learn about the rich history of Namibia, and the city of Windhoek on an orientation tour, before checking into the hotel AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel. Enjoy a walk through the gardens, before dinner at a colourful local restaurant in one of the many dining venues. Returning south towards Windhoek we have one night back in Windhoek to hit the town and enjoy dinner together to celebrate
our Out of Africa Experience.. (B,L,D)

 

Day 12 

After breakfast, we depart to Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport connecting to your flight to Sydney. (B)

 

Inclusions

•       Tour Host and Director

•       Air-conditioned coach transfers throughout

•       5-star hotels and resorts

•       Local guides

•       Entrance to reserves and attractions as indicated on the itinerary.

•       Meals as indicated on itinerary breakfast daily (B), lunches (L) and dinner (D)

•       All hotel taxes and service charges

•       Tips and gratuities

 

Exclusions

 

•       International / Australian Domestic airfares

•       Additional charge(s) relating to documentation regarding visas or travel arrangements 

•       Travel insurance (required) 

•       Costs of passport or visas 

•       Beverages during meals except where indicated 

•       Optional excursions 

•       Personal expenses and anything else not included in the 'tour includes' features 

4 single supplements
Maximum 14 people

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Price per person:

Twin/ Double share: TBA

Single supplement: TBA

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Namibia - A timeless Adventure

“A land of contrast & dramatic beauty - exuding a timeless appeal. From awe-inspiring landscapes combined with untamed wildlife, it’s a boutique bucket list destination.”

 

In southwestern Africa lies a land of compelling fascination. A land for those who worship at the shrine of Africa at its most resplendent, but also at its most unconventional. This is Namibia.

 

Described by the bushman as the “Soul of the World”, Namibia is rugged, natural, soulful and liberating. While the forces of nature have been fierce and unforgiving, they have also been bountiful. In this cauldron of heat and relentless force, God has created landscapes that are paralleled in their beauty only by the most exquisite diamonds found here. Imagine huge canvasses, uninhibited by man’s limitations, splashing swathes of colour of the monumental, star-shaped dunes of the Namib Desert and the surreal Salvador Dali’esque Deadvlei, with its white clay pans, red dunes and blue skies. The awe-inspiring mountain ranges of some of the last true wilderness areas in Damaraland and the forlorn, windswept skeleton coastline. As all Africa, Namibia has abundant wildlife in our National Parks as well as the large tracts of land which lie unfenced and unfettered for wildlife to traverse. Much of this land has been made available to the local communities, and both these, as well as private land of many farmers who have banded together, have been declared as local conservancies. Namibia also has the richest succulent flora in the world, harbouring about one-third of the world’s approximately 10,000 succulent species. Namibia is a melting pot of sights, sounds, aromas, tastes and emotions in abundance, just waiting to be experienced.

 

Namibia is home to the infamous Skeleton Coast, that forlorn and rugged coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. It is here where we find the Namib Desert, the World’s oldest desert and a World Heritage site, from which the country gets its name. The eastern expanses are dominated by the Kalahari Desert; the central highlands are renowned for its free-roaming wildlife and the Etosha National Park. Kaokoland and Damaraland are where we find some of the most dramatic landscapes, the uniquely adapted desert animals and the proud Ovahimba people. And to top it off – the contrast of the lush forest vegetation of the Zambezi region, part of the KAZA Transfrontier National Park. Like the diamonds mined here, Namibia is a true gemstone waiting to be discovered.

 

Windhoek – Mariental: 268km

Mariental - Sossusvlei: 306km

Sossusvlei – Walvis Bay: 375km

Walvis Bay – Khorixas: 350km

Khorixas – Okonjima: 267km

Okonjima – Windhoek: 216km